FOOTBALL

Unable to hear clearly on the field, this college kicker uses his other senses to succeed

By Steve Wiseman

DURHAM - William Holmquist can’t hear his teammates calling out signals. He can’t hear his coaches shouting instructions from the sidelines, and he can’t hear what the screaming crowd surrounding him is yelling while he’s on the football field.

When he punted for Tufts, the play clock – not the snap count – dictated everything his special teams unit did. Holmquist, who was born almost deaf, only knew the ball would be snapped when the clock hit a predetermined time.